On Friday, Feb. 7, Grand Valley State University economics professors Daniel Montanera and Coby Kirby presented health statistics specific to West Michigan at the 16th annual West Michigan Health Economic Forecast. Compared to national trends, the pair found anomalies both in health care workers and in students seeking health care-related degrees.
The West Michigan Health Economic Forecast was held at the DeVos Center for Interprofessional Health on GVSU’s Pew Campus. The event was hosted by the University’s Kirkhof College of Nursing and the Seidman College of Business, and was sponsored by major healthcare companies, including Blue Cross Blue Shield, Blue Care Network and Priority Health.
Kirby and Montanera identified a unique correlation between the rising number of healthcare workers and the number of patient admissions in Grand Rapids compared to state and national averages. Their work also revealed that students seeking healthcare-related degrees have increased despite a nationwide drop in higher education enrollment. Although the causes of these anomalies are not yet known, the researchers were able to collect valuable data on certain trends occurring in West Michigan and consider optimistic outcomes.
Specifically, Montanera and Kirby’s research found stark discrepancies between the rate of patient admissions in contrast to the rate of hospital and healthcare personnel. In 2022, Grand Rapids had a record low of 80.65 patient admissions per 1,000 resident doctors. In similar-sized cities, the admission rate was 105.82 patients per 1,000 residents. Another discrepancy noted by the researchers was that outpatient hospital visits in Grand Rapids and Muskegon decreased by 13%, while national rates remained static.
The researchers also looked into college enrollment rates. Despite a national decrease in college enrollment, Montanera and Kirby’s research showed a 2% increase in college students seeking healthcare-related degrees in West Michigan. In 2023, the National Student Clearinghouse Research Center found that Michigan colleges and universities had enrollment drops that were four times steeper than the national average.
“When we turn to the future, we find that more students are enrolling in health-related degrees, even though university enrollment is declining,” Kirby said. “That’s (rise in health-related degree enrollment) promising for the future of healthcare.”
Further findings from Montanera and Kirby’s report showed certain ailments are rising in West Michigan, such as high cholesterol, coronary heart disease, stroke, lifetime asthma, cancer and depression. Additionally, Michiganders 85 and older are the fastest-growing age group in the state, which has contributed to a higher demand for healthcare services.
Despite an increased strain on hospitals, Kirby said their research showed healthcare employment, job openings and inflation-adjusted earnings are on the rise in the region. This indicates there is more motivation to seek occupations in healthcare, as evidenced by the increasing number of students pursuing healthcare degrees.
Kirby said the reason he chose to research health in West Michigan is because his findings have the capability to directly impact the people around him and the place where he lives. Kirby said that further research is needed to determine the root causes of these anomalies.
“There is always a need for more research,” Kirby said. “To stay ahead of the curve, we must continue monitoring community health and anticipate what’s coming next.”
